‘Appropriate’ for EU to probe €30m stadium grant

A government minister who helped secure a €30m grant for the Páirc Uí Chaoimh revamp in Cork says he is “not unduly concerned” that the EU is poised to scrutinise the deal for compliance on state-aid rules.

Seán Sherlock, minister of state for development, trade promotion and North South co-operation, said an EU Commission examination was always to be expected given the amount of money involved. But he said the funding package, signed off by Cabinet last month, has been subjected to rigorous assessment by the Department of Public Expenditure and Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

“I am not unduly concerned by this intervention by the EU given the size of the grant. It is entirely appropriate that the EU would cast its eye over the grant,” he said. “But the important thing to remember here is not only is this an economic stimulus measure in terms of job creation but it’s also a renovation of a stadium that was built in the 1970s.